WHY IS COUNCIL WITHHOLDING REVISED PLANS FOR GRIMSBY TOWN CENTRE REVAMP?

What lies in store for the west end of Grimsby shopping centre? NELC and Freshney Place are staying mum.

MYSTERY surrounds the revised proposals for a revamp of the St James Church end of Grimsby town centre.

The original project had to be scaled back because Whitehall offered a lower grant than that sought by North East Lincolnshire Council - £17.3-million instead of £25-millon.

In time for last Friday's deadline, a slimmed-down scheme was submitted to the Government, but details have been withheld from the public.

All NELC will say is that the "revision remains closely aligned to the main elements of the original proposal and its objectives".

That objective is to "deliver transformational change" to the area around Victoria Street West encompassing the former BhS building, Flottergate Mall, Grimsby Top Town Market and Old Market Square. 

A new purpose-built home for the market is  at the heart of the project which also aims to establish a cinema and other leisure space.

Meanwhile, at a NELC scrutiny panel meeting last month, some councillors expressed misgivings whether the owners of Freshney Place were fully committed to the project.

However, a comment by FP director Amanda Austin should allay their concerns.

Say she: “We are really pleased with the new proposal.

"We believe these plans will deliver the leisure and hospitality facilities that will truly add value to Grimsby.

"We are confident that this development will build a strong platform for the future prosperity of the town.”

The council has always insisted that the two organisations are "joined at the hip" on the project.

It is hoped Whitehall will make a decision on the revised plan before the end of this month.

The Grimsby News says: How disappointing that no plan of the revised scheme has been released to the public. If Whitehall has a copy of it, why not the community? We should all be allowed sight of it without delay.